Whats Amtrak like?

[whole diary]

[Mookiemoo]

Thinking of going visit my stateside friend.......however have discovered internal US business class flights have gone through the roof and you can't easily get from JFK to Kansas city by plane - its either faffy connection or have to cross over to La Guardia.

There is an Amtrak  train leaving Penn Station at 3:45pm - I'd arrive at noon and getting into Kansas next day,

Its overnight to Chicago, 6 hours there (never been to chicago other than the airport) and then 6 hours to Kansas

All for $160.00

Seriously thinking about it as a bit of a lark

[inspector_blakey]

My use of Amtrak is confined to the Northeast Regionals and Keystone services.

Long distance is slow but reasonably comfortable. Punctuality isn't great. Remember that your $160 fare will only be a coach class seat - on your trains that should be big and comfortable with plenty of legroom but given the overnight journey you might want to invest in a sleeper roomette (although they sleep two, apparently if there's just one of you on the booking you have exclusive use of that compartment and don't have to share) but that will be a big supplement. Gets you meals included though, as well as lounge access at Penn Station.

Not too sure what the scenery's like on that trip - if it's the train I'm thinking of (Lake Shore Limited?) you'll skim along the south end of the great lakes through NY, OH and IN. The Finger Lakes region in New York state is supposed to be nice, and the train goes through that. The Southwest Chief trip across IL and MO is likely to be flat, grassy and dull!

I know it involves transferring to LGA, but you might think about Southwest airlines, who fly direct (but with a stop) to Kansas City (why on earth is it in Missouri?) and are likely to be cheap. Two free checked bags, 32-33" seat pitch, free drinks/snacks and low fares but with no irritating Ryanair-style surcharges. You won't find those flights on any of the booking engines, but will need to book them at southwest.com.

[Mookiemoo]

75% of Kansas City is actually in Missouri - in fact most of the main bits are.

Only really overland park and johnson county and neighbouring burbs are in Kansas.

Thanks for that - I was looking at the room.  Its about an extra $240.

I just really really really hate flying cattle class....and six months in Belfast with BMI Baby hasnt enamoured me anymore.

There are no mileage flights available at the time I want to go (sometime in May) so I'm paying 800ish for a premium economy seat and as I'm a frequent flier, they may upgrade me......

You used to be able to get non changable business class internal tickets for about 300ish from the major hubs to Kansas but the cheapest I'm seeing is over 800!  And that is just since DEcember!

[devon_metro]

.however have discovered internal US business class flights have gone through the roof

Must be the spiralling cost of oil 

LOL^▸ (laughing out loud)

[Mookiemoo]

Thats the point though - oil is not spiralling at the moment!

[devon_metro]

Thats the point though - oil is not spiralling at the moment!

Hence the rather cynical style of my post. 

[inspector_blakey]

My only experience of really long-distance rail travel in North America to date is on Via Rail Canada - I was on a near 48 hour journey and although the sleeper supplement was significantly more than coach, it was definitely worth it. No experience of Amtrak sleeper accommodations even though from the staff room I can see Viewliner sleepers going past the building where I work several times a day!

[moonrakerz]

Comment from an American friend;

"We take Amtrak all of the time to New York and Washington because that's where all of the traffic and trains are- AND we live on the Northeast Corridor. The comments about Amtrak long distance trains are all about right- I think"

[Mookiemoo]

I'm thinking LA to Kansas might be quite nice - seriously. I've always wanted to do something on Amtrak and this seems to be a good opportunity!

[Phil]

I did the Los Angeles to Seattle trip on AmTrak (with sleeper cabin and catering) around 10 years ago now and have to say, it was THE most amazing, memorable train journey of my lifetime. Utterly amazing. The sounds and smells linger to this day.

[Tim]

I'm booked New York to Chicago in May.  Just a business trip rather than a holiday but the train seemed to make the most sense.

Fare was 380- USD which is a lot but includes a sleeper room with private bathroom and all meals on board.  200 USD for a decent hotel plus 200 for an internal flight plus food and transport to from the airports, rail wins on this one.

IIUC Part of the cost advantage for one-way trips comes from cheap airfares being returns only and rail singles being half the price of rail returns. 

I'll let you know how I get on with it and I'd be interested in FA's report of she tries Amtrak before me. 

[Mookiemoo]

Fare was 380- USD which is a lot but includes a sleeper room with private bathroom and all meals on board.  200 USD for a decent hotel plus 200 for an internal flight plus food and transport to from the airports, rail wins on this one.

Yeah - I've gone for the roomette I don't need a shower in the room ....... and since this isnt re-imbursable (other than a tax deduction) I decided a roomette was good enough.

[inspector_blakey]

If you haven't seen them already there are pretty good descriptions/photos of the Amtrak sleeper accommodations on their website from what I remember. Two main types of equipment - SuperLiners are used out west, so your trains LA - Chicago will probably be formed of these. The Chicago - NYC leg may well be ViewLiner equipment, which is still double-deck but built lower so it can fit under the knitting on the Northeast Corridor line.

[Mookiemoo]

If you haven't seen them already there are pretty good descriptions/photos of the Amtrak sleeper accommodations on their website from what I remember. Two main types of equipment - SuperLiners are used out west, so your trains LA - Chicago will probably be formed of these. The Chicago - NYC leg may well be ViewLiner equipment, which is still double-deck but built lower so it can fit under the knitting on the Northeast Corridor line.

Yep - I booked through the Amtrak website............the LA - Chicago is a superliner - the chicago - NYC is indded a viewliner

The main difference in the roomettes is the viewliners have toilet and sink in house, the superliners do not.

[Mookiemoo]

I also get a 15% student discount!  OU applies - I have a brand new student advantage card!